Chapter 10 Christmas time
The time flew by for Harry. He was studying very hard and in the evenings he was busy with his dueling training and the DA which was a great success. They had now even some Slytherins in the group. As he had guessed they had to divide the students in a basic and an advanced group. After a month he let the basic group to his friends completely after Neville and Luna agreed to help them.
Harry hadn't often the possibility to meet with Tonks to kiss or even make love, because they had to be even more secretive about it than before here in Hogwarts.
A teacher was simply not allowed to get involved with a student but they did test Harry's bathing tube once or twice.
Dumbledore became afraid of loosing control over Harry more and more and watched him even closer. Who knows what he would do, if he found out about Tonks and him? Dumbledore also tried to convince him again to join his order but Harry declined repeatedly.
Harry also supported Remus during the full moon, still without the knowledge of Dumbledore or any other, except from Tonks and Rick.
He continued his weekly visits to Rick, now that he was back at Hogwarts. He simply popped over as tiger when he had free periods and all his friends not.
He continued his martial arts and fencing lessons with him and they began to train his fire element.
The only feat he had accomplished until Christmas was a complete resistance to fire. He still couldn't call the flames to his will. He would only get them, when he was very angry.
He was also very advanced in his studies to and both he and Rick decided to give his NEWTS a go over the Christmas holidays.
There were however two bad things for these holidays. The first was, that Tonks was away after Christmas till the beginning of the new term because of an order of the ministry again and the second problem was that Dumbledore had asked him, to stay in the castle. The last was not too bad, because Remus would be staying too. His friends however would spend he holidays at the burrow because Molly had managed to gather the whole family together.
He was not mad though, so he had not to find an excuse to disappear two days, where he was to go to the ministry for the tests.
Because they had not much time, they decided to enjoy the Christmas Eve and the day after together. It wouldn't be suspicious because Remus would be with them and they would spend both days at his rooms.
So they gathered together in the afternoon and spent a nice evening in his living room. They were even served by a house elf for dinner. They had excused themselves for the day and Dumbledore had allowed it, maybe to get back in Harry's good graces.
It was a really nice and enjoyable day for all three of them except for Moony's comments whenever they both kissed and they kissed often.
They ate a nice turkey, drank some butterbeer and even another whiskey in the evening.
The only drawback was, that Tonks wouldn't be able to sleep in his quarters this night.
"I hate it to hide our feelings, Harry." said a sad Tonks as it was time to leave.
Harry gave her a sad smile, "I hate it too, love. But it is over soon. As soon as I graduate, I am no longer a student and nobody can do anything against us. It would be more safe for you to keep it secret though."
"I don't care, Harry and you know it. But when you graduate, you will go away and I will no longer be able to see you. It doesn't matter what we do, we can't be together."
Harry gave her a heartfelt hug and kissed her lovingly.
"I promise you to give all I have to finish my training as soon as possible love. When the apprenticeship is over, we will be able to be together openly."
"That would be nice, Harry." She leaned her head against his chest and sighed.
Remus was sad for them too and he got an idea for another Christmas gift for them. He smiled secretively. Minutes after that they parted with a last passionate kiss.
So they had to meet the next morning again in Harry's Rooms.
In the living room they were awaited by a pile of presents for them all.
From Hermione Harry got a book about shields and defense magic, from Ron a set of sweets, from the twins a set of new products to test on the students and from Molly a new self made jumper this time in dark green.
From Remus he got a really nice magical chess-set with magical creatures as figures, among them black tigers for knights and eagles as bishops.
Harry beamed as he saw that and hugged him.
He gave Remus a new set of robes. "I can no longer stand it, that you are wearing that shabby robes of yours." He had said grinning and he got him also a set of books about teaching DADA.
"Thank you, Nightwing."
Remus hugged him back. The robes were beautiful and also expensive ones, laced with some useful charms.
Then came Tonks.
She gave him a passionately kiss at first and then she gifted him with real battle boots made of special dragonhide and charmed in many ways, for instance a size adjusting charm, water repellent and curse-resistant to a great extend.
He hugged her and kissed her.
"I couldn't afford a complete battle gear for you, but it is a beginning." She said a little embarrassed but he was really happy about it and as she realized that, she was happy too.
He gave then his gift to her. Again it was a beautiful small box.
She gasped as she opened it and stared at him.
"I know, I already gave you a necklace, but the first one was only to make up to you. This one comes from my heart and I hope you like it even it is another one."
Her eyes widened and she again stared at the beautiful necklace. It was made of small platinum chain-links and that made a very thin and elegant necklace. It came with a pedant in form of a heart which was made of platinum too. It was outlined with small shards of diamonds and it sparkled in the light. But in the center of that heart was a small rainstone. It was a really rare magical stone which shimmered in the same colors as Tonks real eyes,
It was deep blue with streaks of gray and traces of green.
She had tears in her eyes as she looked up again. She knew very well why he had chosen that particular stone because she too recognized her eye-color in it and it showed her, that he truly loved her for herself. And the rest of the necklace was stunningly beautiful too.
"It is amazing Harry, Thanks. It... it must have cost you a fortune." She stammered.
"No fortune in the world is more worth to me than that happy look which you just had in your eyes, darling." He said smiling.
Now were tears dwelling up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She hugged him fiercely. "I love you so much." she whispered in his ear.
"I love you too." he whispered back.
As they separated they saw, that Moony wasn't complaining for once but smiled a real happy smile at the sight of the both of them.
Then Harry looked Tonks in her eyes, "There is one more thing about this necklace, it has a really complex and ancient tracking charm on it. If ever happens something to you, I will find you and get you out. With that charm, I can even find you at an otherwise unplottable place."
She beamed happily at him and hugged him again.
"I didn't know that such powerful charms exist, let alone some one with the power to cast such a charm." she said pensive.
"Well, I cast the charm and the spell doesn't exist at least officially. Some friends of me helped me to get it down." he grinned.
"Some friends? A spell that doesn't exist? Harry what have you gotten yourself into?"
"Well, you will find out eventually but not today. Today is a holiday and we will enjoy it. Let me put it on!"
He took the necklace out of her hands and put it gently around her neck.
She watched herself in a mirror.
"It is beautiful."
"Not nearly as beautiful as you... especially in your true form." Harry said honestly.
She kissed him passionately again.
"You have a way with words and women that reminds me strongly at another person, Nightwing." Remus chuckled.
"That wouldn't be by any chance Padfoot?" he asked smiling.
"You got it right in one try."
"Well, I can and will do that only around one woman and she is standing before me."
"See, you do it again." said Remus chuckling.
"Yeah, but I mean it." Harry said smiling fondly.
"Yes, that I believe you." Remus said proudly and happy for them.
"Now, I don't want to ruin that moment, but we have to go down to breakfast today." Tonks said sadly and straightened out her robe.
"Maybe I can give you some covered time after lunch." Remus suggested, "I could stay in your gym and you could do... well whatever you do."
Harry and Tonks blushed but smiled happily and thankfully at him.
Then they went down to the hall, everybody his distanced self.
"Ah, Miss Tonks, Remus and Harry. Happy Christmas! Come, join us at our table." the headmaster invited them with twinkling eyes.
Snape for once, nodded politely to them and they nodded back. He was nothing but polite in his lessons since their discussion and Harry's potions only got better after that. The only other ones at the table were Flitwick and McGonagall.
McGonagall greeted them too... but then stared at the necklace.
"Miss Tonks, that is a really beautiful necklace, what you have there. Was it a present?"
"Yes I got it today." she said smiling.
"You don't have by any chance an admirer?" she asked in awe.
"Well, kind of." she said blushing. Harry betrayed his emotions with no sign and sat down next to her and filled his plate.
"I seems to be very special and quite expensive to come from 'only' an admirer."
"It is very special to me for multiple reasons, Professor McGonagall." she answered.
Now Flitwick took a look at it too and asked interested, "Is it by any chance charmed?"
She seemed at a loss for a moment but Harry chose this moment to help her a little, "I think it is. If I would give the woman of my heart such a gift, I would charm it... something to protect her if possible."
"That shows how noble you are." said Dumbledore with twinkling eyes, "Have you found by any chance the woman of your heart yet?" he asked.
"Now why would I tell that my teachers of all people, Professor?" he asked with a mischievous smile.
"Ah come on! I am the best friend of your father and godfather. Tell me! Please!" asked Remus with puppy-dog eyes and joined their secret game of diversion.
"Stop that! Make that in your wolf-form! I believe that would be more convincing.... Now tell me, have you ever met a person, besides from you Moony, who could truly look behind this damn scar and see me how I really am? Whom I really am? Well I did not. Not even my best friends see my as I truly am. Even they see me as their savior or hero or something like that. Granted, they do it to a lesser extend than others but they do. And even if you find one, she has to find a liking to me and come to love me and I her. Not the best chances, are they?" he asked now seriously with a hint of sadness. They all looked now subdued and he could feel that Tonks was on the edge to jump up and hug him silly to show him how much he meant to her.
"Hey! Who has you all allowed to make such long faces on this fine day?" he joked.
Their heads shot up irritated at his mood swing.
"Well, Tonks, I mean professor Tonks, you didn't answer the question. Maybe you could let Professor Flitwick take a look at it. He is not without reason a charms master." Harry said smiling and only Moony and Tonks recognized the devious glint in his emerald eyes.
She nodded and handed it to the tiny wizard.
He cast some spells on it and gasped.
"What is it Filius?" asked Dumbledore curiously.
"That is unbelievable, Albus. It is charmed, quite heavily too. Whoever it was, he has to be a charms master too."
Harry nearly choked at this, while Remus coughed loudly as if there was something in his throat. Tonks only grinned, she was back to her usual funny self, at least outwardly and spilled promptly her juice over the table. She blushed and cleaned it with a quick charm while Harry and Remus laughed goodhearted.
Dumbledore took a look at the pedant too. "I don't recognize this charm."
He gave it back to Flitwick.
"It is a kind of tracking charm, I am sure, but it is not known to me either. It is a masked charm too. I can say you only one thing. The caster of that spell has to be very powerful, certainly more powerful than me, maybe more powerful then even you Albus."
They all looked shocked at Tonks and she blushed. Only Remus locked his gaze not with her but with Harry and he seemed to be more than a little surprised.
"Miss Tonks, could you reveal who your admirer is?" Dumbledore asked politely.
"He asked me not to and I do not intend to break my promise."
Dumbledore nodded at this and stroked his beard.
"Such a powerful wizard would be certainly a good addition to our ... cause." he mused.
Remus eyes lit up for a second, "It hasn't had to be the mysterious admirer who cast that spell. He could have bought it already with it." he said.
"That is right. Miss Tonks, did your admirer cast this spell?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well I can't say, who charmed this pedant. I never had the impression that my.. admirer is powerful. He seems to be a normal wizard to me." she said and Harry's heart beat faster at the double meaning of her words... for her, he was a normal wizard.
"That is too bad then. Maybe you could ask him sometimes who did cast this spell. I know for sure, that nobody of the shopkeepers in the wizarding world of England is powerful enough for this. We checked them all." Dumbledore said disappointed.
Tonks got her necklace back and she putted it on again.
After the breakfast they went back to his rooms and Tonks pinned him on the couch, "Spill it!"
"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.
"What she means is that little fact about being more powerful than Dumbledore." said Remus seriously.
"Why should I know how powerful I am regarding to Dumbledore?" he asked.
"What is it with that necklace then?" Tonks asked.
"While that spell is powerful, I doubt that it is so powerful and it is masked too. Maybe they had the wrong impressions."
"What do you mean with masked? Flitwick said that too." Remus asked.
"Why, ask the little auror here!" Harry replied grinning.
"I don't know anything about that! Well... spill it!"
"No! Find it out for yourself!" he joked.
"Are you sure about that?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
"Alright lets make a deal! You find out what the masking of that spell means and I show you my second form." he suggested.
"No, you spill another of your secrets to us!" Tonks countered.
He looked pensive and then sadly at Remus.
"I... I don't know if I am allowed to do that."
Remus scrutinized him, "You are looking only at me. That could mean you have already clearance for Tonks. Don't tell me why. But let me ask you is there a difference?"
"Yes there is. But I haven't asked about you yet. I may get the permission, because I am trusting you. But I also know for a fact, that Tonks is at least average at Occlumency and can therefore hide my secrets even against unwilling sharing. You on the contrary to that have no such training and that could put all of us in danger, let alone Dumbledore find out which I don't want also."
"Harry, don't worry about that. I would be very happy if you show me your second form as deal. You have achieved so much already that I can't tell you how proud I am. And you have done so much for me too. You helped me over the death of Sirius and you accompany me through the full moons. I also know that you trust me but I neither want to put you in danger nor do I want you to get into trouble from your boss, whoever that is."
"Thanks Moony. I will share with you, what I can."
Remus nodded.
They talked after that about less important things and after lunch as promised Remus let them alone to their love. They enjoyed it for once to make love free of worries to be found out and they did it slowly and full of passion.
They took all the time from shortly after lunch until shortly before dinner and both were positively beaming as they joined Remus again in Harry's living room.
"You know, if you keep up this expression your love will no longer be a secret." Remus said worried.
"It is ok, we will be cooled down when we reach the great hall, we were every time." Harry said grinning.
"That was a fact I didn't need to know." Remus groaned but was shortly after that friendly hugged by Tonks.
"Thank you, Moony. That was the best present you could give us." she said sincerely and beaming.
"I wanted to say that too, Moony. I owe you one for this." Harry said and hugged him too.
"There is no need for thanks. I could and can see how happy you are together and I am happy for you both. We all know that you both are in danger and that at least Nightwing will leave Hogwarts, maybe soon. So I will do all I can to help you to enjoy your time together."
"Thanks again." Harry said.
Then he closed his eyes for a moment and as he opened them again he was cool as ever. Tonks did the same only she needed some minutes.
"That was awesome." Moony gasped.
"No, that was Occlumency. Hide your valuable thoughts deep in you and don't let them out." Harry explained.
"It is certainly helpful in such situations." Tonks said grinning.
"That it is. Now... we have to go."
After dinner Tonks had to leave and she hadn't even time or the chance to say goodbye to Harry in the way she wanted. All she could was simple: "Bye Harry and write your essay!"
As he stood before the others and faced her, he could send her a loving smile and a blown kiss.
Remus joined Harry after that in his rooms again.
"Remus there is one thing I can reveal to you now."
"And what is that?"
"I will go the day after boxing day and the following day to the ministry and take my NEWTS."
Remus gaped at him, "You're kidding me."
"No I am serious. I am ready and have already the appointments."
"That is great! But... does Tonks know?"
"No, not yet. I will inform her, when she is back. I didn't want her to think about it during her assignment. That could have distracted her."
"You are right. What happens after that?"
"I don't know. It will take a while until I get the results. I don't know if I have to leave instantly after that or not. But it may be so. And I don't know where I will go."
"I know. That will be hard for Tonks. For me it is, Nightwing."
"I know. For me too, Moony. But I have to do that. Besides the deal is, if I am up to my studies I can visit her. As you are here too, the same goes for you."
"Well, that is not too bad then. You know what? I never thought I would say that but: Take your studies seriously!"
Both laughed at this.
"And are you up to the NEWTS or do you want to go over your notes now?" Remus asked.
"No, it is ok. Stay please. I will take a last peak tomorrow but I am fit. ... You know It will be a hard hit to my friends too. They don't know anything about that."
"I am sure they know that something is up with you. The will get over it, at least with time. I know about someone else who is in for that surprise."
"Who?"
"Dumbledore."
"Right." Harry laughed and Remus joined him.
They both enjoyed the evening after that.
AN: Again sorry about the grammar errors but I have still no response from my so called beta. I reread this chap carefully and hope, that there are not so much errors this time. I will decide to take another offer for a beta tomorrow. Thanks for the hints about 'putted' I will avoid it next time ;-) (C.Rose&bkfriend)
C.Rose: I think you are right about the scenes. That may be a result of writing the whole story in only two weeks. I will re-read the next chapters carefully and maybe change some things.
athenakitty: Hospitalwing? That reminds me of something ;-) And yes, Harry studied animagus by himself, but he has his forms down already as you should already lnow because he accompanied Remus grin
Wytil: Nice explanation for the potions. And yes he stored his potions but he made them only to learn. They won'tl be really important for the future chaps.
Citan: No, there won't be more Snape-bashing. Dumbledore is going to be the next ;-) No, wait... there is another one shortly (only a minute) before that evil grin guess who. I bet you don't get this one. I give you a little hint he is going to be arrested And no, it is not Malfoy.
Thanks to all the others who gave me reviews. I truly enjoy it to read them. I am going to decide about another beta tomorrow. I hope this is going to raise the quality of this story.